Man Hunt

Manliness, as it turns out, can take all sorts of forms. During The Voice-Tribune’s search for some of the most masculine men in Louisville, we met an incredible variety of guys – of different ages, races and walks of life – all willing to share their perspectives on what it really means to be a man.

We had a blast getting to know this diverse group of good-looking guys during a nautical-themed photo shoot at Captain’s Quarters. And we think you’ll be interested to see each dapper dude’s unique take on masculinity, too.

Mark Casi, 17Student at St. Xavier High School

What does a man always need at his side?
A dog. A big manly dog, not a poodle.

What’s your ideal guys’ night?
Sneak into a country club … hang out by the pool, swim around, and there’s women there, so that’s fun. … Just go out there and do random things. The occasional manly dare is amusing, too.

Bryen Pinkard, 28Personal trainer for Bryen’s Bootcamp

What’s your manliest hobby?
Grilling. I’m a master at grilling.

What separates the men from the boys?
Being comfortable in your own skin. When you’re younger you might wear some things because other people wear them. … When you’re older you find your own style.

What’s your advice to younger men?
(It’s important to keep the) connections that you make with people. At a certain age … you start forming your friends and breaking ties with certain people, and you just have to make sure those connections aren’t just for stupid reasons.

Steve Van Hooser, 43Manager of direct response marketing at Humana

What’s essential to a “mancave”?
It has to have a huge, huge, huge TV. I mean that’s just basic.

Do the clothes make the man?
As long as you can wear confidence you can wear anything.

What does it mean to be a “real” man?
You have to build your integrity when you’re young. To really be a man is someone who takes responsibility and you do what you think is right, regardless of what’s going on around you.

Tristen Hines, 22
Personal trainer at Body Evolution

What’s your manliest hobby?
Occasionally, I just like to take off my shirt and pretend like I’m working on a car.

What separates the men from the boys?
It’s that energy when you walk into a room, it’s what they already perceive of you before you can even say a word.

Patrick Mahoney, 28Personal trainer at ProFormance Fitness

Do the clothes make the man?
The man makes the clothes. A dude can pull off bad clothes if it’s the right kind of guy.

What separates the men from the boys?
I think a man’s able to stand up for what he believes in, you know, regardless of what that is.

What’s the least “manly” thing you admit to doing?
Sometimes I ride my motorcycle slow in the fast lane.

What does it mean to be a “real” man?
The most important thing is to be true to yourself. Your really need to be honest with everybody you deal with. … People don’t hear it near enough, but just say ‘no’ when ‘no’ needs to be said.